WO2011163362A1

WO2011163362A1 - Automated seed processing apparatus

Info

Publication number: WO2011163362A1
Application number: PCT/US2011/041451
Authority: WO
Inventors: Jason Abbas; John Woodford; Dean Ovel; Daniel Harms; James Jones
Original assignee: Syngenta Participations Ag
Priority date: 2010-06-22
Filing date: 2011-06-22
Publication date: 2011-12-29
Also published as: WO2011163326A2; WO2011163326A3

Abstract

Apparatus for the automation of processing of seeds including a vibratory rail for advancing individual seeds to a desired location and for orienting each seed to a common and consistent orientation is described. The rail has a side member and a side wall that together define a cross-sectional profile that is different at the entry of the seed than at the approach to the desired location and the side member is adjustable relative to said side wall to adapt the profile of the rail to improve the efficiency of consistency in orientation of seed of different sizes, shapes or weights. In a preferred embodiment, rails specific to a species of seed are adapted be use the same mounting sites and at least some of the same sensors and seed removal devices so that a machine for the automated processing of seeds can be quickly and easily converted to process seeds of diverse species.

Description

AUTOMATED SEED PROCESSING APPARATUS

JASON ABBAS

161 315th Street Perry, IA 50220

US citizen

JOHN WOODFORD

Units 5 to 10 Paycocke Close Basildon, Essex, UK, SS14 3HS

UK citizen

DEAN OVEL

Units 5 to 10 Paycocke Close Basildon, Essex, UK, SS14 3HS

UK citizen

DANIEL HARMS

1208 NW Rolling Rock Road

Ankeny, IA 50023

US citizen

JAMES JONES

Units 5 to 10 Paycocke Close Basildon, Essex, UK, SS14 3HS

UK citizen AUTOMATED SEED PROCESSING APPARATUS

This application claims priority to United States Patent Application Serial No. 61/426298 filed 22 December 2010 (22.12.2010) and United States Patent Application Serial No 61/357322 filed on 22 June 2010 (22.06.2010) each filed in the United States of America.

Background of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to apparatus for automating the processing of seed and, more specifically, to improved adjustable and replaceable rails for advancing and orienting seeds of different weights, sizes and shapes in a seed processing apparatus.

Automated seed processing apparatus are in wide use, including, for example, in chipping of seeds to analyze traits of the seed. Commercial seed companies are engaged in a continuous process to develop and sell seed that will grow into plants having improved agronomic and/or commercial properties. That continuous process includes the development of a very large number of novel plants that are evaluated for desired characteristics and selected for advancement if those characteristics meet the criteria of the seed company.

One technique that has developed to assist in the evaluation is the removal of a portion of a seed to be analyzed for the desired characteristics so that the portion can be analyzed by any desired means, including destructive means, while leaving the seed viable so that a plant can be grown from the seed and its progeny maintained in the research program. In the past, this process was done by hand and was very time consuming and labor intensive. Efficiencies in producing the chips and viable chipped seeds can be achieved by automating the process.

One part of automating the process is the movement of seeds along a path into a consistent and desired orientation. Use of a vibratory bowl and linear vibratory seed rail for this purpose are known. However, since the movement of seed along the rail and orientation of the seed depends greatly on the size, weight and shape of the seed, the design of the rail is preferably adapted to the peculiarities of seed of different species. For example, soybean seeds are relatively spherical compared to the oblong teardrop and flattened shape of corn seed and the seed of each species may need to be oriented differently from seed of other species depending on the processing being done by the automated seed processing apparatus. The present invention discloses an automated seed processing apparatus in which the rails are easily and quickly adaptable and replaceable to adapt the apparatus to the processing of seed of different shape or species.

Summary of the Invention

The present invention consists of an automated apparatus for processing seeds. A collection of seeds to be sampled is loaded into the apparatus and the seeds are fed into a vibratory bowl. The vibratory isolation process of the vibratory bowl acts to move the individual seeds out of the bowl and deliver them to a linear vibratory rail. The seeds are then transported along the rail into a consistent and desired orientation while advancing the individual seeds toward a pick-up station. Seeds that are not properly oriented or spaced are detected and sent back to the vibratory bowl for later selection and presentation for processing. A rail specifically designed for each species of seed and adjustable to the size and weight distribution of seed being processed is used. In the present invention, these rails are quickly and easily replaceable to allow the seed processing apparatus to be quickly and easily adapted to process seed of different species.

An aspect of the present invention is to permit a single automated seed processing machine to be modified to process seeds of different species, thereby reducing the need of having multiple seed processing machines for processing seed of more than one species.

Another aspect of the present invention is the facilitation of modifying a seed processing machine from processing seed of one species to processing seed of a different species by using multiple rails that are easily and quickly changed.

Still another aspect of the present invention is the use of a seed rail designed specifically for seed of a particular shape, for example, seed of a particular species, that is also preferably adjustable to account for variations in size and weight distributions of seed of diverse strains within a species for improved orientation, spacing and advancement of individual seeds in an automated seed processing machine. The apparatus for the automation of processing of seeds can have a hole to reject smaller seeds with presumed viability issue because of the predetermined dimensions of a hole, which can be adjustable. Still another aspect of the invention is a rail having a side member and a side wall that together define a cross-sectional profile configured for processing seeds such as fruit, weed, vegetable, oil, fiber, crop, forage, grass, tree, flower, ornamental, and spice.

Another aspect of the rails is that the first and second rails configured for different species snap fit in the apparatus. The first rail may be configured for a teardrop shaped seed and said second rail maybe configured for another different seed, which maybe a partially spherical shaped seed. An additional aspect is the process for modifying an automated seed processing machine including at least one vibratory rail for advancing and orienting individual seeds to a desired location further comprising the step of planting and growing at least some of the processed seed and/or its progenitors in a plant breeding program. This processed seed can be maize, soybean, rice and the like.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Figs. 1 is a schematic diagram of a preferred embodiment of the present invention and designed for use with soybean seeds.

Fig. 2 is a photograph of a preferred embodiment of the present invention and designed for use with soybean seeds.

Fig. 3, Fig. 3A, Fig. 3B are schematic diagrams of the preferred embodiment of Fig. 1. Fig. 4 is a schematic diagram embodiment of Fig. 1 shown mounted on an automated seed chipping machine.

Figs. 5 and 6 are photographs of the preferred embodiment of Fig. 1 shown mounted on an automated seed chipping machine.

Fig. 7 is a schematic diagram of a preferred embodiment of the present invention and designed for use with corn seeds.

Fig. 8 is a photograph of a preferred embodiment of the present invention and designed for use with corn seeds.

Fig. 9, Fig. 9A, Fig. 9B are schematic diagrams of the preferred embodiment of Fig. 7. Fig. 10 is a photograph of the preferred embodiment of Fig. 7 shown mounted on an automated seed chipping machine.

Figs. 1 1-12 are schematic diagrams of the preferred embodiment of Fig. 7 shown mounted on an automated seed chipping machine. Figs. 13-14 are photographs of the preferred embodiment of Fig. 7 shown mounted on an automated seed chipping machine.

Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments

The invention will be described with respect to a particular embodiment and wherein soybean seeds and corn seeds are being sampled by the apparatus. A skilled artisan will recognize, however, that many other types of seeds can be sampled using the present apparatus, including but not limited to alfalfa, barley, canola, corn, cotton, flax, millet, oat, pea, peanut, pumpkin, rice, rye, saffiower, sorghum, squash, sunflower, watermelon and wheat.

In general, a collection of seeds for sampling by the apparatus is selected. The seeds are loaded into a vibratory bowl that advances the seeds toward a pick-up station. The vibratory action of the bowl acts to move the seeds toward a linear vibratory seed rail. The seed rail advances the seeds toward a destination, such as a sampling station, while placing them into a consistent orientation so that each seed will be presented to the sampling station generally in the same orientation to assure consistent sampling. In an embodiment, a camera monitors each seed as it approaches the pick-up station and if the seed is not in the desired orientation, it is moved back into the vibratory bowl. In another embodiment, a camera is not employed as the rail positions the seed efficiently so that few if any seeds are not in the desired orientation, rendering the camera and its associated device for moving the seed back into the vibratory bowl unnecessary. An example of such automated seed processing apparatus is U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 61/357322, filed June 22, 2010, which is incorporated herein in its entirety by this reference.

In general, a collection of seeds for sampling by the apparatus is selected. The seeds are loaded into a vibratory bowl that advances the seeds toward a pick-up station. The vibratory action of the bowl acts to move the seeds into a consistent orientation so that each seed will be presented to the pick-up station generally in the same orientation to assure consistent sampling. In one embodiment, an optional camera can monitor each seed as it approaches the pick-up station and if the seed is not in the desired orientation, it is moved back into the vibratory bowl. In another embodiment no camera is needed as the seed is efficiently oriented by the rail. When a properly oriented seed is present at the pick-up station, the apparatus moves an arm to the pickup station and a pair of fingers on the arm grasp the seed and move it to a sampling station. A laser severs a preselected portion of the seed and the removed portion is allowed to fall into a selected cell of a collection tray. The main portion of the seed is moved by the arm to a tube and dropped. The tube directs the main portion of the seed to a separate, selected cell of a collection tray. The apparatus outputs data that identifies or correlates the cells of the chipped or severed portion and the main portion of the seed for subsequent analysis. The chipped portions of the seeds are subjected to any variety of tests to assist in determining what role the individual seed will play in the research or commercial programs of the operator of the apparatus. Such tests may include cellular analysis, chemical analysis, hybridization analysis, nucleotide sequencing, and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis. The main portion of the seed remains viable so that it can reproduce with the possibility that its progeny will constitute a part of the operator's research or commercial programs. The present invention provides methods to improve germplasm. The seed chipping apparatus forms small samples of seeds while retaining a viable seed portion for planting use. This device is specifically adapted to employ any number of different seeds with different seed shapes and sizes. Seeds of fruits such as apple, pear, oranges and the like can be sampled. Vegetable seed such as cucumber, tomato, pea, bean, corn, carrot and the like can also be sampled. Oil seeds, fiber seeds, crop seeds like maize, soybean, rice, canola, sunflower, sugar beet, rice, forage and grass seeds, tree seeds, flower seeds, weed seeds, thyme and other spice seeds can be sampled with this invention and process. The seed samples from any seed are useful in these improvement methods. Analyzing the samples identifies traits, or genotypes permitting the desirable viable seeds to be identified and selected. The analytical methods test chemicals or genetics of the samples from batch or bulk population of seed samples.

The sample contains endosperm tissue that allows detection of alleles that are useful in detection of the parental source for the marker. Testing alleles and their frequencies in samples from different germplasm types can be employed to build ancestor or genetic linkage maps. Allele frequencies also provide the ability to detect linked and unlinked traits.

The use of the laser in this seed sampling acts to seal the viable seed's wound. This may be useful in seeds that are not fully dried. The seed sample can be mixture of seed types where at least some are putative haploid seed. This sample can be tested to identify the ploidy characteristic of the sample. Additionally the haploid, diploid, triploid, tetraploid, etc. samples can be analyzed for genotypic information, traits and chemicals. The correlated seed for the sample can be used in germplasm improvement through selection of seeds for breeding or markers assisted breeding. The haploid seeds can be doubled, forming doubled haploids and the resultant doubled haploid seeds can also be chipped and the sample can be analyzed and selected based on phenotypical, morphological, and genotypical characteristics detectible with markers.

This automated seed sealing seed sampling device is part of a program to select associated plants or seeds with a haplotype, sequence, DNA, R A, transcription profile, and methylation pattern. The seed progeny of the selected seeds can also be automatically sampled in a repeated cycle that produces breeding and development economies of scale. Breeding methods are selected based on the type of sampled material hybrid, for example, inbred, elite, or non-elite, and the type of characteristic desired, its heritability, its genetic complexity, etc. The sample can be analyzed for markers associated with most of the breeding traits like, water usage, vigor, emergence, yield, moisture, stress and disease tolerance, flowering, seed, pollination or harvest traits and characteristics,

This is often referred to as marker-assisted breeding program using a population of the analyzed chips and selected seeds with the trait, marker associated with the trait or a selected genotype. This program will use less land and personal resources while permitting seed bulking to occur sooner in the process.

In one embodiment, the automated seed chipping method produces a chip for analyzing a population of seeds by extracting a sample of nucleic acids from the populations of chips testing the for at least one genetic marker; forming a new selected seed population using the analysis; and producing plants from the selected seed. The present invention has a seed rail that orients the seed for chipping, because if the seeds are positioned correctly less germination viability is lost in the chipping process. While seed germ ability prior to being chipped is the most important factor in seed viability, laser sealing may increase this germination viability. However, given that the seed has good germ the automated orientation results in large quantities of viable seed portions. It is highly desirable to have not less than 50% remain viable after sampling. Viability seed portion rates, after being lasered, of 70%, 75%, and 80% and higher are most desired. In some circumstances, low viability rates are still economically useful.

In breeding programs it is important to maintain germination viability until the next planting season. Chemical treatments, biological treatments, polymers, fungicides, and pesticides known in the art for protecting a seed from environmental conditions while in storage or transport can be employed to assist in maintaining viability shelf life. Samples prepared by the present invention can be used for testing chemicals such as proteins, peptides, oils, oil and fatty acid profiles, carbohydrates, amino acids, starches and starch profiles, metabolites, storage proteins, and introduced traits (whether by GMO or mutated), etc. The genetic characteristics of the seed sample can also be investigated. This investigation can employ detection means that are indicative of genetic traits like markers, single nucleotide polymorphisms, SSR, haplotypes, DNA-derived sequences, RNA-derived sequences, promoters, terminators, introns, untranslated regions of genes, microR A, siR A, transgenes, genes, mRNA, ds mR A, transcriptional profiles, and methylation patterns. DNA may be extracted from the sample through use of SDS and a centrifugation and then amplified after extraction using methods like DNA amplification prep from Amersham Biosciences. RNA may be extracted from the sample using methods known to those of skill in the art.

Nucleic acids extracted from the sample of seed are tested for polymorphism using a wide variety of technologies known to those skilled in the art. Detection of the presences or the absences of insertions or deletions in sequence, simple repeats of sequences, single nucleotide or feature polymorphisms, whole or partial sequences or transcription profiles are used to select seeds for research or breeding. The selected seeds can be grown and their seedlings can likewise tested with leaf punch assays for genes, quality trait loci (QTL), alleles, or genomic regions (haplotypes) that comprise or are linked to a genetic marker. This is particularly useful if one or more of the traits or characteristics are more readily detected in the non-seed tissues. Standard analysis of the material whether seed or leaf include Taq Man assays for PCR detections, sequencing methods, chips and microarray methods can be used to generate data for the selection and breeding decisions. The seeds can be tested selected and used in a breeding program. This can include repeated seed sampling tests with or without leaf assay testing for further selection and efficiencies.

Seeds often are selected because of characteristics that are genetically linked with a QTL such as stress tolerance, water, nutrient optimizing characteristics, resistances to pesticides, diseases and insects, viruses, fungi or nematodes, altered fatty acid profiles, selected sugar or starch or other carbohydrate metabolisms, yield traits, increased/decreased oil, day length, growth, germination, other agronomic, commercially useful or commodity traits. The selected seeds are planted and bred with or selfed for development of progeny seed, which can be sampled, analyzed and a set selected for further processes to develop germplasm, variety, cultivar, inbred, hybrid, 3-way cross or haploids or the seeds of any of these. The breeding program can employ any number of breeding methods and breeding technologies in association with the sampling. A seed can be sampled once in the breeding process or numerous generations can be sampled and selected depending on the need for selection information.

The vibratory rail of the present automated seed sampling invention assists in assuring seed orientation and thus the sampled seed viability. The seeds are loaded into a vibratory bowl that advances the seeds toward the vibratory rail adapted to provide consistent seed orientation so that each seed will be presented to the pick-up station generally in the same orientation to assure consistent sampling. The profile of the rail for a given species is designed to improve the consistency in proper orientation of the particular species of seed. Within species, and sometimes among species with similar shaped seeds, there is a variation or distribution in size and weight of the seed. For example, certain strains or varieties of soybeans will have seeds with a smaller size and weight than seeds of a different strain or variety, or seeds of different species, such as squash and pumpkin, will have very similar shapes, but a different distribution of size and weight. To accommodate such differences and improve the consistency of orientation of seeds, a number of features of the rails, such as pitch and sidewall spacing, may be adjusted by an operator. Preferably, the different rails utilize at least some of the same mounting sites on the automated seed processing machine, as well as at least some of the sensors and seed removal devices, so that the rails can be easily and quickly substituted for each other to accommodate processing of, for example, seeds of different species or that otherwise differ in size, shape or weight such as to justify a different rail.

EXAMPLE 1 - Soybean Seed Rail

Illustrated in Figs. 1-6, generally at 10, is a linear vibratory seed rail particularly suited for soybean seeds and representing a preferred embodiment of the present invention. The rail 10 includes a track, indicated generally at 12, defined by a left side member 14 and a right side wall 16. Soybean seeds are introduced onto the rail 10 from a vibratory bowl 18 (Fig. 4). While individual strains or varieties of soybean seeds may be on average smaller than other strains or varieties, seeds that are smaller than a predetermined dimension have a higher than acceptable likelihood of not being viable. The track 12 has a curvilinear cross-sectional profile where the soybean seeds enter the rail 10 from the vibratory bowl 18. The cross-sectional profile as illustrated in Figs. 3, and shown in cross section in Fig. 3A, allows the rounded soybean seed to fall deeply into the track 12 (Fig. 1) if the seed is small enough. In addition, there is a hole 20 shown in (Fig. 3 A) in the bottom of the track 10 near the entry so that soybean seeds smaller than the predetermined dimensions of hole 20, which is adjustable in size, exit the track 10 and are discarded as rejected seed.

Seeds that pass the reject hole 20 are moved down the rail 10 past an overhead jam sensor 22 (Fig. 3) that makes note of the passage of a seed and if seeds are spaced closer together than a preset amount, a controller (not shown) activates an air jet 24 to direct the seeds that are in too close proximity to a recycle chute or directly back into the vibratory bowl 18. Farther down the rail 10 is a trigger sensor 26 that also makes note of the passage of seed and if a seed is following another by less than a preset amount, the controller activates an air jet 28 to direct the following seed back into the vibratory bowl 18. In the area of the trigger sensor 26, the profile of the track 12 changes in approximately a 45 degree sweep to horizontal from the curvilinear profile of Fig. 3A to the rectilinear profile of Fig. 3B wherein the seed is supported partially on a shoulder 30 formed in the side wall 16. Note that the spacing between left side member 14 and right sidewall 16 is adjustable by a set of bolts 32 to narrow or widen track 12 within one millimeter either side of the nominal width of 4.5 mm between the shoulder 30 and the side member 14 so as to efficiently orient and transport seed of different sizes. It has been found that the profile of the track 12 shown in Fig. 3B, when appropriately spaced, is 80% efficient at orienting soybean seed to the desired orientation with the hilum facing upwardly or downwardly. Orientation of the seed is monitored by an overhead camera 34 and if it is not oriented correctly, the controller activates an air jet 36 that directs the seed back into the vibratory bowl 18.

EXAMPLE 2 - Corn Seed Rail

Illustrated in Fig. 7-14, generally at 100, is a linear vibratory rail for transporting and orienting corn seed and represents a preferred embodiment of the present invention. The rail 100 includes a track, indicated generally at 102, defined by a left side member 104 and a right side wall 106. For a majority of their length, left side member 104 is generally planar and inclined outwardly relatively to track 102 and right side wall 106 is also generally planar and inclined outwardly relative to track 102. Accordingly, for most of its length, track 102 is generally V- shaped. Corn seeds are introduced onto the rail 100 from a vibratory bowl 18 (Figs. 9, 9A, 9B and 11-13). The left side member 104 is foreshortened at the area of entry of the corn seed such that the corn seed will tip back over into the vibratory bowl 18 unless it is oriented with the narrow portion up and lying against the right side wall 106. In the preferred embodiment, the extension of left side member 104 away from the right side wall 106 is adjustable (see Fig. 9A) to accommodate corn seeds of diverse sizes such that, in general, the larger the average corn seed being processed, the longer the extension of side member 104.

As the corn seed is advanced along the rail 102, it encounters the trigger sensor 26 which notes the passage of the seed. As in Example 1 , if the target corn seed is followed by less than a preset distance by another corn seed, the trigger sensor 26 signals the controller (not shown) and an air jet 28 is activated to divert the following seed into vibratory bowl 18. As the corn seed advances further down the rail 102, it approaches an orientation section of the rail 102, generally at 112 (Fig. 7), where side wall 104 gradually becomes more vertical and flange 116 curves progressively upwardly from the side wall 106. The combination of the increased slope of side member 104 and increased extension of flange 116 cause the corn seed to move to a more desired, vertical orientation. This orientation change can be approximately a 45 degree spiral sweep toward vertical. The position of side member 104 is adjustable toward and away from the side wall 106 to accommodate the size of corn seed being processed. In one embodiment an optional overhead camera 34 monitors the corn seed and if it is not oriented correctly, signals the controller to activate an air jet 36 to direct the misoriented seed back into the vibratory bowl 18. In another embodiment the camera and associated controller and air jet are not used as the rail is sufficiently efficient in seed orientation that a camera is rendered unnecessary.

It has been determined that the camera 34 is an optional monitoring system. Because the seed is oriented in the desired direction by the structure of the rail itself use of the camera 34 for monitoring this orientation is mostly unnecessary. Although, the camera 34 may detect some incorrectly oriented seed, it is a device that can be eliminated. A larger percent of the soybean seed with a portion chipped off will be viable, when the starting soybean seed has commercial levels of viability.

The rails 10 and 100 preferably utilize the same trigger sensor 26, connection to air jet 28, and optionally camera 34, connection to air jet 36 so that they can be easily and quickly substituted for each other on the automated seed processing machine. EXAMPLE 3 - Rails for Use with Flat Seeds

In use with relatively flat seeds, like watermelon, squash, pumpkin, sunflower and the like, a rail of the present invention would preferably include a gate that the seed must initially pass through from the vibratory bowl with a detector that will sense the orientation of the seeds. If the desired orientation is, say, with the wide end of the seed entering first, the detector will signal the controller to activate an air jet to blow off of the track seeds that are oriented with the narrow end of the seed forward.

The foregoing description and drawings comprise illustrative embodiments of the present inventions. The foregoing embodiments and the methods described herein may vary based on the ability, experience, and preference of those skilled in the art. Merely listing the steps of the method in a certain order does not constitute any limitation on the order of the steps of the method. The foregoing description and drawings merely explain and illustrate the invention, and the invention is not limited thereto, except insofar as the claims are so limited. Those skilled in the art that have the disclosure before them will be able to make modifications and variations therein without departing from the scope of the invention.

Claims

We claim:

1. Apparatus for the automation of processing of seeds including a vibratory rail for advancing individual seeds to a desired location and for orienting each seed to a common and consistent orientation, comprising:

(a) said rail having a side member and a side wall that together define a cross- sectional profile that is different at the entry of the seed than at the approach to the desired location; and

(b) said side member is adjustable relative to said side wall to adapt the profile of the rail to improve the efficiency of consistency in orientation of seed of different sizes, shapes or weights.

2. Apparatus for the automation of processing of seeds of different species by an automated seed processing machine including a vibratory rail for advancing individual seeds to a desired location and for orienting each seed to a common and consistent orientation and sensors for monitoring the position and orientation of seed along the rail to initiate activation of means for removing seeds not in the proper position or orientation, comprising:

(a) a first rail for a first species of seed having a profile designed to consistently orient seed of the first species and mounted on the automated seed processing machine at least one mounting site and using the sensors and seed removal means to monitor and control the advancement and orientation of the first species of seed on the first rail;

(b) a second rail for a second species of seed having a profiled designed to consistently orient seed of the second species; and

(c) wherein the rails are mounted on the automated seed processing machine using the same mounting sites and connecting at least one of the same sensors and seed removal means to monitor and control the advancement and orientation of the second species of seed on the second rail.

3. A process for modifying an automated seed processing machine including at least one vibratory rail for advancing individual seeds to a desired location and for orienting each seed to a common and consistent orientation and sensors for monitoring the position and orientation of seed along the rail to initiate activation of means for removing seeds not in the proper position or orientation, comprising the steps of: (a) providing a first rail for a first species of seed having a profile designed to consistently orient seed of the first species mounted at mounting sites on the automated seed processing apparatus and using the sensors and seed removal means to monitor and control the advancement and orientation of the first species of seed on the first rail; (b) providing a second rail for a second species of seed having a profiled designed to consistently orient seed of the second species; and (c) detaching the first rail from the automated seed processing machine and mounting the second rail to the automated seed processing machine using the same mounting sites and connecting at least one of the same sensors and seed removal means to monitor and control the advancement and orientation of the second species of seed on the second rail.

4. The apparatus for the automation of processing of seeds according to claim 1 wherein the rail comprises a hole wherein rejected seeds smaller than the predetermined dimensions of said hole fall from the rail.

5. The apparatus for the automation of processing of seeds according to claim 4 wherein the hole is adjustable in size.

6. The apparatus for the automation of processing of seeds according to claim 1 wherein the said rail has a side member and a side wall that together define a cross-sectional profile that is different at the entry of the seed than at the approach to the desired location and the profile is configured for processing seeds selected from a group consisting of fruit, weed, vegetable, oil, fiber, crop, forage, grass, tree, flower, ornamental, and spice.

7. The apparatus for the automation of processing of seed according to claim 2 wherein said first and second rails snap fit in the apparatus.

8. The apparatus for the automation of processing of seed according to claim 2 wherein said first rail is configured for a teardrop shaped seed and said second rail is configured for another different seed.

9. The apparatus for the automation of processing of seed according to claim 8 wherein said second rail is configured for a partially spherical shaped seed.

10. A process for modifying an automated seed processing machine including at least one vibratory rail for advancing individual seeds to a desired location and for orienting each seed further comprising the step of planting and growing at least some of the seed and its progenitors in a plant breeding program.